History of B.U.I.L.D of Buffalo 

This is an overview of our rich history with the B.U.I.L.D of Buffalo Inc. in Buffalo, NY. We organize several events and celebrate festivals from time to time. Please keep this near to your heart so we may have it to pass on to future generations. We hope our future generations will keep it up.

1966: B.U.I.L.D. of Buffalo Inc. Founded this year 

Reverend Frank Emmanuel , Pastor Delanie Warring AME Church Elected President of B.U.I.L.D.

1967: First Annual Convention held.
William L. Gaiter, NFTA Bus Driver was elected 2nd President of B.U.I.L.D

1968: 2nd Annual Convention Held.
William L. Gaiter re-elected President  

1969: 3rd Annual Convention held.
Rev. Richard Ford, College Professor elected 3rd President of B.U.I.L.D
B.U.I.L.D Academy was established.

1970: 4th Annual Convention. 1000 delegates attended.
Rev. Richard Ford re-elected President
William L. Gaiter appointed first executive director.
B.U.I.L.D Skills Assessment Center established
B.U.I.L.D Outreach and Recruitment Center established  

1971: 5th Annual Convention Held.
Rev. Richard Ford re-elected president  

1972: 6th Annual Convention held at Skateland Roller rink located at 33 East Ferry Street Buffalo, NY.
Edward Pearson (delegate for N.F.T.U.C.C) elected 4th President of B.U.I.L.D.
Convention was temporarily suspended due to a riot  

1973: 7th Annual Convention held.
Edward Pearson was re-elected as President of B.U.I.L.D  

1974: 8th Annual Convention (May 3rd 1974) at Skateland Roller rink.
Harold Sims was the keynote speaker.
Edward Pearson was re-elected President  

1975: 9th Annual Convention.
Rev. Andrew Whitted pastor of St. Luke’s AME Zion Church elected the 5th President of B.U.I.L.D  

1976: 10th Annual Convention
Rev. Andrew Whitted re-elected President.
First Juneteenth Festival in Buffalo  

1977: 11th Annual Convention at Masten Armory (March 1977)
Charley H. Fisher III (22 year old Y.A.L.C delegate and B.U.I.L.D staff person elected 6th President of B.U.I.L.D

1978: 12th Annual Convention
Charley H. Fisher III re-elected President.
B.U.I.L.D met with the international Marine Midland bank representatives on Wall Street.
B.U.I.L.D Academy moved to its current location on Feugeron Street.
L. Nathan Hare appointed 2
nd Executive Director  

1979: 13th Annual Convention at the Buffalo Convention Center.
L.C. Smith elected 7th President of B.U.I.L.D
Charley H Fisher III appointed to Executive Director  

1980: 14th Annual Convention
Claudia Sims elected 8th President of B.U.I.L.D  

1981: Claudia Sims re-elected President

1982: Claudia Sims re-elected President

1983: Claudia Sims re-elected President
B.U.I.L.D of Buffalo Inc. closed and also Greater B.U.I.L.D of WNY Holding Group was deactivated as well.
B.U.I.L.D Academy converted into a regular magnet school.
B.U.I.L.D Halfway Home incorporated changed name to Buffalo Halfway House.
Juneteenth festival transferred from Community Development Committee to Juneteenth Festival Inc.

2011: B.U.I.L.D of Buffalo reinstated by Charley H. Fisher III July 2011 on Jefferson Avenue.

2012: June 2nd B.U.I.L.D. held its 18th annual convention in Buffalo, NY.
July 18th B.U.I.L.D. receives its incorporation as a 501 (c) 3 Not-for-Profit. 

Learn More  

Feel free to give us a call if you need more information about our history and the
current engagements.